eSports as a News Specialty Gold Rush: Communication Ecology in the Domination of Traditional Journalism Over Lifestyle Journalism

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

The news coverage of eSports presents an attractive avenue to a new audience for business, sports, and gaming journalists. The audience's interest is understandable given the financial vibrancy of the hobby. This chapter reflects an analysis of news articles (n=406) published in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Forbes, and Business Insider from January 2018 to December 2020. Researchers analyzed these articles for specific marketing and public relations messages and identified how various entertainment businesses were reflected in the news coverage of eSports. This chapter argues that eSports represents a topic typically covered through lifestyle journalism that has instead been dominated by traditional business reporting. Both gaming and sports are predominantly lifestyle specialties—hence, the dominant role of business journalism in reporting the specialty means that the emphasis on the niche has primarily been on awards and financing.

Original languageAmerican English
Title of host publicationHandbook of Research on Pathways and Opportunities Into the Business of Esports
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2021
Externally publishedYes

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